The Reality Of The Resurrection

There are many wonderful points within the framework of what we call the Christian faith. 1st is the substitution, the innocent for the guilty 1 Peter 2:21-24. Second, divine love, God really loves sinners Romans 5:8. 3rd, heaven, a place of perfect peace John 14. And 4th, hell, a place of horrible suffering Luke 16.

But the heartbreak of the Christian faith is the resurrection period until Christ arose from the dead, man had no tangible evidence that death would ever be conquered. Today the believer lies back in the arms of faith, committing his soul to the power of God, knowing that one day that solemn body will be united again. As we consider the reality of the resurrection there are three things I would like to present.

I. The Message of the Resurrection, Matthew 28:6

Let us trace back to some of the principles of the Christian faith. The Passover lamb is the pattern of God's work for man. Exodus 12:12-13, “ For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

1 Corinthians 5:7, “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

In the law, we see the principles of God's word for man. In the law we see: God's holiness. He cannot tolerate sin. God's justice, sin must be punished. God's mercy, substitution.

In the crib, we see the promise of God's work for man. John 3: 16, Isaiah 9: 6, in genesis 3: 15, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”

On the cross, we see the practice of God's work for man. John 1: 29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

In the resurrection, we see the proof of God's word for man. Romans 1:4, “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:”

The message is that God is real. God loves sinners. God will save you and gives you eternal life.

II. The Moral of the Resurrection

This can only be properly seen by looking at the negative side. If there be no resurrection, then what? It's not wrong to think this way. Paul was the one who introduced this negative idea. The conjunction “if” is used some seven times in eight verses, 12-19.

The negative is probably summed up in these questions. But if there be no resurrection? V 13. If Christ be not risen? V 14. If the dead rise not? V 16. If Christ be not raised? V 17. If in this life only we have hope in Christ? V 19.

Now look with me to these negatives, “if there be no resurrection…”

There’s a void prophecy, verse 13. John 2: 18-19. There would be vain preaching, verse 14. There is vanished pardon, verse 17. There's vanquished prospect, verse 18.

III. The Might of the Resurrection

1 Corinthians 15:20. Oh, what might is here revealed. We have a living savior. We have a lifting sermon. We have a lasting security. He lives, we shall live also. Do you have this hope? If not come to Jesus!